News Release

NEWARK, Calif., March 30, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StemCells, Inc. (Nasdaq:STEM) announced today that it will host a conference call and webcast to discuss results from its Phase I clinical trial in Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease (PMD) on Monday, April 2, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (8:00 a.m. Pacific Time). A summary of the trial results will be presented on Saturday, March 31, at the 2012 European Leukodystrophy Association (ELA) Families/Scientists Meeting in Paris. The Phase I trial was completed in February 2012, and was designed to assess the safety and preliminary efficacy of the Company's proprietary HuCNS-SC® cells (purified human neural stem cells) as a potential treatment for PMD, a rare hypo-myelination disorder in children.

Interested parties are invited to listen to the call over the Internet by accessing the Investors section of the Company's website at www.stemcellsinc.com. Webcast participants should allot extra time before the webcast begins to register and, if necessary, download and install audio software.

An archived version of the webcast will also be available for replay on the Company's website beginning approximately two hours following the conclusion of the live call and continuing for a period of 30 days.

About StemCells, Inc.

StemCells, Inc. is engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of cell-based therapeutics and tools for use in stem cell-based research and drug discovery. The Company's lead therapeutic product candidate, HuCNS-SC cells (purified human neural stem cells), is currently in development as a potential treatment for a broad range of central nervous system disorders. In addition to the recently completed Phase I clinical trial in PMD, the Company is conducting a Phase I/II clinical trial in chronic spinal cord injury in Switzerland and has received authorization from the FDA to initiate a Phase I/II clinical trial in dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The Company is also continuing to pursue preclinical studies of HuCNS-SC cells in Alzheimer's disease. Further information about StemCells is available at http://www.stemcellsinc.com.

Apart from statements of historical fact, the text of this press release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. securities laws, and is subject to the safe harbors created therein. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the clinical development of its HuCNS-SC cells; the Company's ability to commercialize drug discovery and drug development tools; and the future business operations of the Company. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof. Such statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain assumptions that may or may not ultimately prove valid. The Company's actual results may vary materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties to which the Company is subject, including those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and in its subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K.